About Us

Who We Are?

We are Light AI – a team of visionaries, innovators, and multidisciplinary problem-solvers driven by a shared calling to harness artificial intelligence for the greater good. Guided by compassion and an unwavering commitment to equity, we develop solutions that empower individuals, strengthen communities, and create a brighter future for all—regardless of background or economic circumstances.

Our Journey

Our journey began with a mission to transform diagnostics, addressing global challenges like antimicrobial resistance and healthcare access.

2015: Founding Light AI

Light AI was founded to combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) caused by the misuse and overprescription of antibiotics. We envisioned solutions that ensure antibiotics were prescribed only when necessary.

2016-2019: Laying the Foundation

Light AI collaborated with leading institutions to create a robust database differentiating viral and bacterial infections. In parallel, the first version of Light AI’s diagnostic device was developed along with validation of algorithms through early trials. Funding was secured to expand its scope.

2020-2021: Pivot to Smartphones

The COVID-19 pandemic presented an opportunity for Light AI to adapt its technology for use with smartphones, enabling fast, non-invasive diagnostics for COVID-19 and other illnesses. This development expanded the potential applications of its technology and demonstrated its versatility in addressing global health concerns.

2022: Cementing Our Footprint

Recognizing the global need for innovative diagnostics, Light AI collaborated with international organizations to validate its strep detection technology in real-world settings, achieving a 96.7% detection accuracy.

2023-2024: Global Readiness

Building on its success, Light AI formed partnerships to enhance its outreach and delivery, particularly in emerging markets such as Africa and India.

Our Vision

To be the global leader in advanced intelligence-enabled vision systems to support rapid accurate practitioner diagnosis.

Our Purpose

We empower health providers with technology—driven intelligence—assistive innovations to better prevent, diagnose, and manage infectious diseases—transforming care and improving lives.

Our Beliefs

Technology must deliver value

Every solution we create is designed to improve lives and serve the greater good.

Equity drives progress

Breaking down barriers ensures opportunity for all.

Purposeful collaboration amplifies impact

Together, we can achieve the extraordinary.

Compassion fuels purpose

Empathy is at the heart of meaningful change.

Change propels us forward

We evolve to meet the needs of a changing world.

Our Values

Integrity

We uphold the highest ethical standards, fostering trust and transparency in every decision and solution.

Equity

We champion fairness and inclusivity, breaking barriers to ensure access to opportunities for all.

We push boundaries with bold thinking, transforming challenges into impactful solutions.

Innovation

Empowerment

We equip individuals and communities with tools and knowledge to thrive and shape their futures.

We prioritize well-being, creating solutions rooted in empathy and service to the greater good.

Compassion

Impact

We are deliver meaningful results, creating solutions that drive real, lasting change and value.

Our People

We continue to expand our impact with a team of multidisciplinary experts – across healthcare, technology – steadfast in our belief that technology should serve humanity.

Leadership Team

Peter Whitehead
CEO

Peter Whitehead brings 26 years of experience in healthcare innovation, specializing in cutting-edge technology solutions. As the visionary behind Light AI and the inventor of VELScope, the leading oral cancer imaging tool, Peter has significantly impacted diagnostic healthcare. The VELScope became the first significant contribution to oral cancer screening in 50 years and was recognized as the American Dental Association’s number one cancer screening product for eight years. He has founded multiple companies in the fields of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning and holds numerous patents in these areas, establishing himself as a pioneer in healthcare AI technology.

Thomas Scarnecchia
COO

With 40+ years of experience as a life science industry executive and consultant, Thomas Scarnecchia brings deep expertise in building and leading organizations that drive innovation and operational excellence. He has led global biopharmaceutical information technology and computational sciences organizations that enabled the discovery, development and commercialization of numerous therapies including VELCADE, LEVAQUIN, and RISPERDAL. As a consultant, Thomas led the Observational Medical Outcomes Public-Partnership, which established the blueprint for today’s real-world evidence and data ecosystems for regulators and industry. His executive experience includes co-founding Digital Aurora, Inc, a boutique life science industry IT think tank; VP Corporate Informatics at Millennium Pharmaceuticals; and VP, CIO, and Board Member for Johnson & Johnson’s R. W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute. Thomas holds a bachelor’s in biology and a master’s degree in computer science from Pace University.

John Tse
VP, Commercial Development

John Tse is a customer-focused strategic leader with 30+ years in health, beauty, and retail — including 20 years in executive leadership at London Drugs. As VP of Pharmacy and Cosmetics, he played a key role in transforming the company into one of Canada’s most recognized drugstore chains. A licensed pharmacist and forward-thinking innovator, John has led numerous tech-driven initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and customer care. His contributions have earned him the BC Pharmacy Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the Len Marks Pharmacy Advance Award. He continues to serve on multiple boards, driving progress at the intersection of healthcare, retail, and technology.

Anthony Schaller
President and CTO

Visionary leader with 40 years of deep experience in global strategy, innovation, R&D, product and technology solutions within the Enterprise & Consumer market. Accomplished in the areas of digital media, cloud, search, dynamic Ad serving, commerce, AI and IoT, he has delivered value for startups as well as companies valued over $10B USD. Innovations with which he has played an integral role include distributed computing and databases, global data support for molecular R&D, commercialization of RAID for high performance I/O, scaling Match.com, CityGuide and online Online Ticketing, second screen entertainment supporting broadcast sports, building and transforming the global music industry from CD distribution to online download/streaming, cloud/mobile scalable video production, sports analytics for the NBA and NCAA. Most recently, he serves as a senior Operating advisor to TA Associates, a $60B+ global private equity firm where he provides diligence, operational oversight and board-level advisory surrounding operational efficiencies, product strategy and hands-on transformation for scalable SaaS operating companies.

George Reznik
CFO and Corporate Secretary

George Reznik leads financial strategy, reporting, and corporate governance, bringing over 25 years of expertise in corporate finance, capital markets, and operational leadership with five high-growth public technology companies. He has held CFO roles at Tantalus Systems, a clean technology company, and Intrinsyc Technologies, an internet of things edge computing company, where he guided the successful acquisition by Lantronix. Additionally, Mr. Reznik has been instrumental in raising hundreds of millions in financing, significantly enhancing shareholder value by over a billion dollars. He also served as the Corporate Finance Valuation Practice Leader of Deloitte and was named BC Public Company CFO of the Year. Mr. Reznik is a Chartered Professional Accountant – Chartered Accountant, a Chartered Business Valuator, a Certified Fraud Examiner, and holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honors) in Accounting and Finance from the University of Manitoba.

Advisors

David Talan

Dr. David A. Talan is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Infectious Diseases, and serves as Professor of Medicine in Residence (Emeritus) at UCLA and the University of Iowa. He has chaired the Olive View-UCLA Department of Emergency Medicine and is currently on the faculty at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center. Dr. Talan’s research focuses on acute infections, emergency department-based surveillance, and epidemiological research of emerging infections. He has numerous publications in prestigious journals, and his work has significantly influenced the management of infectious diseases.

Yu Zhao

Yu Zhao is the President of Bridging Consulting LLC, a boutique regulatory firm supporting AI startups and medical device companies. With 16 years of leadership experience at Medtronic, including roles as Director and Interim VP of Regulatory Affairs, Yu offers expert insights into navigating complex regulatory landscapes. Over the course of his career, Yu and his teams have secured more than 150 U.S. FDA approvals and clearances, spanning PMAs, PMA supplements, IDEs, 510(k)s, and De Novos, for a wide range of devices—from implantable devices to deep learning algorithms.

Raymond Ng

Raymond Ng is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of British Columbia and the Director of the Data Science Institute. Raymond is a recognized authority in Machine Learning and Data Science, contributing invaluable expertise to the advisory committee. He has published over 250 refereed articles on diverse topics related to data science. He is the Canada Research Chair on data science and analytics, and an elected fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. For both 2022 and 2023, he was named one of the world’s top-75 academic data science leaders by the MIT-based CDO magazine.

David Bell

David Bell is a public health physician and expert in infectious disease diagnostics. Formerly leading malaria diagnostics coordination at the WHO, Programme Head of Malaria & Acute Febrile Disease at the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) and Director of Global Health Technologies at Intellectual Ventures Global Good Fund, he now consults in global health and biotech, driving impactful solutions in global health.

Board

Steven Semmelmayer
Chair

A 37-year veteran of the Health Care industry, Steve Semmelmayer has an impressive track record as the former CEO of Denmat Holdings, Discus Dental, Kerr Dental, and LED Medical Diagnostics. His leadership and strategic expertise have shaped numerous organizations, making him a respected figure in the healthcare sector.

Mark Attanasio

Mark Attanasio is the Founder of ATTA Elevators Corp. and the Owner of Nocera Investment Corp., specializing in Canadian venture capital. His leadership credentials include serving as CEO of Eight Capital and Dundee Capital Markets. Mark brings a deep understanding of investment strategies and corporate growth to the board, having spent 16 years in investment banking with a major Canadian financial institution. Mark holds his CPA, CA designation.

Hugh Cleland

Hugh Cleland is the Co-Founder and CEO of Roadmap Capital, a Deep Tech VC investment platform that connects high-net-worth investors and family offices with disruptive technology companies in sectors such as semiconductors, cybersecurity, materials science, and healthcare AI. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University and earned his CFA designation in 2001. Previously, he managed the Northern Rivers Innovation Fund, which won the “Opportunistic Strategy Hedge Fund of the Year” at the 2006 Canadian Investment Awards. Under his leadership, Roadmap Capital has invested over $250M, most of which has been invested in six VC-stage companies, achieving notable exits with the sale of Tornado Spectral Systems to Bruker (BRKR on NASDAQ) and GEO Semiconductor to indie Semiconductor (INDI on NASDAQ), while Corsa Security, Ubilite, and Perimeter Medical Imaging AI continue to build value. In addition to the Board of Light AI, Mr. Cleland is on the Board of Directors of Corsa, Ubilite and CHAR Technologies.

Emmanuel Blin

Emmanuel Blin is the CEO and Founder of TC4A, a global digital healthcare platform revolutionizing care delivery. Previously the Chief Strategy Officer at Bristol Myers Squibb, Emmanuel has a wealth of experience in strategic planning and digital innovation in healthcare. Over 20 years at BMS, Emmanuel has managed commercial organizations across the globe in Europe, Asia, and the US. He has led the global launch and commercialization of several key brands, including ELIQUIS, OPDIVO, ORENCIA, HIV, and HCV products.

Message from our founder

At its heart, Light AI is deeply personal to me. I’ve always believed that innovation should serve humanity, not just as a concept, but as a tool to bridge gaps and solve real problems. That belief is what drives everything we do here.

Growing up, I dreamed of becoming a doctor. I wanted to make an impact by helping others. But as I looked closer, I realized that the problems weren’t just within the walls of hospitals—they were in the systems themselves. So many people lacked access to even basic healthcare. The system wasn’t just strained; for many, it was inaccessible. I knew I wanted to do something to change that.

The challenges are immense. Healthcare specifically has its challenges: overwhelmed by an increasing global population, rising costs, and inefficiencies that leads to poor clinical management, such as antibiotic misuse and antimicrobial resistance. But challenges are also opportunities—opportunities to rethink, reimagine, and rebuild. That’s why I founded Light AI. I saw the potential to combine advanced computational power with something as simple as a smartphone to create tools that make care faster, smarter, and more accessible. Whether it’s empowering healthcare providers to make quicker decisions or delivering life-saving solutions to underserved communities, our mission is to create a tangible, meaningful impact.

Why do I keep doing this? It’s simple—this work fuels me. It’s the only thing I know, the only way I can imagine contributing to the world. Every step forward, every tool we create, every life we touch reminds me why we started this journey. At Light AI, we’re not just innovating for the sake of technology. We’re innovating for the people who need it most. And we’re doing it with the belief that the future of healthcare is not only in what we build but in who we empower.

Thank you for believing in this vision and being part of this mission with us. Together, I know we can make the world healthier, more equitable, and more connected.

Peter Whitehead
Founder & CEO, Light AI